Constant Vigilance (The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes)

Chapter 3

 

15 minutes later and Cyra continued to lead me down long, blank hallways. She was silent the entire time, not making a sound. I wasn’t sure how deep I was into the Ladon headquarters, but it didn’t matter. I had no idea how to get back anyway. Hallway after hallway, all completely identical. Gaslight lamps were nailed loosely to the walls, their ominous glow casting shadows onto the walls. The headquarters were cleverly designed, made so a prisoner wasn’t able to remember any of the exits or paths.

“This is it”, she sighed and stopped, nodding her head towards a door on the right side of the hallway. I turned facing the door, the same unknown symbol carved into the front of the light coloured wood.  

“What is this-“ I turned, realising no one was listening. She had left as quickly and as silently as she had come. Facing the door completely, I frowned, looking closer at the symbol. The carving was recent, clean and fresh. Pulling on one of the knives strapped to the back of my gear, it came loose falling onto the ground. I bent and picked it up, examining the knife that had ended so many lives. The handle was crusty with blood marking my exposed hand a dark shade of red. The signature Winter Soldier bullets were made of the same material as the blade of the knife marking them as HYDRA weapons. I strapped my firearm back onto my gear reaching for the door handle, my knife ready.

Turning the handle, I flung the door open walking into the room. A man, his silver hair shining in the light sat at an armchair in the centre of the room. He looked up eagerly, smiling slightly. Pointing my knife towards him, I replayed some of the combat skills I had learnt over and over in my head. Analysing the room, seeing what I could use as a weapon if my own failed me. The man sat calmly, his fingers drumming lightly on the soft material. He wore a black suite the reoccurring symbol sewn onto the breast pocket of his blazer, the darker colours emphasising his pale hair.

“I see you have found our headquarters” He spoke with confidence, a slight English accent echoing around the room. “Truly, I am relieved; we were going to put up a search for you. It seems that that will no longer be necessary seeing as you have walked into my office willingly. Sit, please”, he said pointing to the armchair in front of him.

Warily, I walked over towards the armchair my knife still pointed in front of me. I sat down on the edge of the chair, curiosity taking over. “Who are you?” trying to hide the confusion in my tone, the knife still steady.

“It seems I know of you yet you know nothing of me” gesturing around the room, “of us”. Speaking clearly he looked at me steadily and then at the knife tapping the tip that was pointed towards him. “Do you like sugar in your tea, Mr Barnes?”

Impatience getting the better of me, I rose from the armchair closing the distance between us holding the knife horizontally against his throat. “Who are you? And where am I?” I seethed pressing the knife harder. The memories of my past having a different effect, anger instead of pain. How can he use that name so lightly? Clearly knowing what has happened.

“We are here to help you, Mr Barnes”, he said looking at me with pleading eyes. “Let me explain, just please sit down”. Removing the knife from his Adam’s apple, he gasped, coughing loudly. He managed to choke out a quick “Thank You” before rising from the armchair and walking towards a buffet cupboard. The cupboard was bare except for a simple serving tray, atop the serving tray two simple mugs sat, next to them a silver teapot, steam still rising from its spout. I sat down cautiously; he looked towards me an empty teacup in hand, “Would you like some-“ he stopped abruptly clearly the look I gave him, as if he had a third eye, was enough to guess my answer. “I don’t suppose you drink tea, I’d like you to try it over the duration of your stay” he said pouring a cup for himself. Looking down at my hands I waited for him to return to the armchair.

Sagging onto the chair, he looked over at me thoughtfully studying my every move from the way I held the weapon to the way I sat on the armchair. Resting his chin on his hand, he continued to stare. “Are you going to explain or what?” I said, my voice deep and rough.

He continued to stare intently, as if I were something he’d seen in a lab, “First, I would like you to do something” he looked up quickly adding: “please”. I nodded slowly, the grip on the knife firm. Last time I had underestimated someone I was thrown onto the ground, I wasn’t taking any more chances. “I would like you to do an exercise for me. It is a common exercise performed by psychiatrists, not that I am saying that you are in any form unstable. I just believe this exercise will help me to understand you better. Do this, and I will answer all your questions.” Keeping my poker face, I looked at him blankly trying to hide the confusion and hurt underneath.

“What do I have to do?” I questioned, staring as he pulled out a small piece of paper and a pen from his blazer, pushing them in my direction. I picked them up swiftly, staring at him in disbelief. Was he honestly about to test my drawing skills?

“Mr Barnes, I would like you to draw a clock. After, I would like you to state your name, the current time and your current location” He said pointing to the piece of paper. Deciding it was worth the answers, I lifted the pen and started to draw, the ink sliding over the paper like water. Looking at the clock on the wall, I drew the correct time on the paper handing it to the man along with the pen.

“My name is James…” Memories flared up in my mind instantly, blocking my train of thought, causing me to cringe in pain. I put my head in my hands and exhaled sharply, my dry hair covering my face in curtains. I sat up sharply, trying to ignore the aching in my head. I wouldn’t show weakness, I was taught to never show weakness. Pain and fear are for the weak, and I refused to let anyone here see a vulnerable form of myself. Glaring at the man, I tried again. “My name is James…Buchanan Barnes” I ignored the pain and continued with the given task, “It is 8:47am, and I am at the Ladon Headquarters, Washington.”

“Good Job. Over time, you will get better and this will get easier. I believe you deserve an introduction: my name is Professor Culwell. I am the Ladon leader, also a scientist. I study genes, Mr Barnes, as well as cells. I can say, yours have proven to be quite interesting”, he looked up grinning sheepishly, taking another sip of his tea. Analysing the situation, I let the knife go limp in my hand sliding it into a disguised holster close to my knee. “Feel free to ask away”

Looking around the room, my mind buzzing with questions I thought of the simplest question. “What is Ladon?” I scanned his face for a reaction but he only smiled. “Ladon, Mr Barnes, is another organisation. A new, fresh organisation. Our aim is to discover the good in the world, including the good in both HYDRA and SHIELD, and then rid the earth of the bad. I have been trying to contact an ex SHIELD leader, Agent Fury, and convince him to join Ladon, along with the beloved ‘Avengers’. We all believe that if you were to join Ladon, stay in our headquarters for a short while, we could persuade the ‘Avengers’ into helping us, making Ladon invincible. Imagine the world without evil, Mr Barnes; you could rid the world of the HYDRA agents that caused you all this pain. You could become a hero and fight alongside the ‘Avengers’, you only need to agree. We are on the same side, Mr Barnes, let us show you”, professor Culwell stuck his hand out, silently hoping it was all worth it. “Deal?”

I put my hand out, my callused fingers wrapping around his hand. “Deal.”

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A/N: It's here! Update done! I'm sorry for taking so long to update, I was away and then I had/still have so many things to catch up on! I tried to make it interesting, sorry if these first few chapters are all quite boring. It's taking forever to ease into this story, though I do have ideas. Comment & Vote please, they make writing much easier. Updating to no comments doesn't give much motivation. 

Also, if I am taking a long time to update, feel free to shoot me a direct message or leave something on my message board! I find it much easier being reminded. :)

xo RValentina